Out right now is the new self-titled debut EP from Birmingham scuzz pop band The Comics, collecting six of the tracks the band have been playing live and recording them with Test Icicles’ Rory Attwell whose production credits include the likes of Palma Violets, The Vaccines, Yuck, Mazes and Male Bonding among many other up-and-coming bands.
Opener Trust is Blind starts like a little, sweet indie pop tune, singer Erin Grace’s vocal laying itself seductively across this echoey guitar accompanyment, before everything comes crashing down around it, with these swirling, squealing guitars take stage centre, leaving Grace’s vocal similarly squealing over the top.
Follow on Eyes takes a similarly scuzzy path, but instead is this upbeat 60’s infused girl band sound, strained through a riot grrl / punk aesthetic, and injected with energy and a dose of shoegaze. Ridiculously catchy though, as is it’s follow on, the almost Pixies meets the Cramps (at times) like Cundy Gets Down.
The stuttering No Descent, allows the band to jump aboard more of a post-punk ride – with slight echoes of the likes of Murder Capital (who they’ve been supporting recently) in the accompaniment, adding to the excitement. In contrast, Brainfuzz (this time letting the boys come to the front on vocals) is in your face, grabbed by the lapels with a faint smell of alcohol and cigerettes on their breath, punk rock, with no letting up throughout its almost one and half minute duration.
EP closer is lead track Drained, this joyous, arenelin fuelled garage rock belter, which slaps you firmly around the face with its attitude, before caressing you with those damn fine melodies.
Engaging, exciting and sometimes brilliant stuff. Welcome The Cosmics.
